An American A-10 has returned from deployment in the Middle East bearing two Shahed-type drone kill markings, suggesting that the aircraft has been directly involved in counter-UAS combat during recent operations under US Central Command.
Images captured by aviation photographers showed the aircraft, callsign TABOR61, landing at an airbase in New England on 11 October with two stylised drone silhouettes and “Ares” nose art freshly painted on the fuselage.
TABOR61 (mixed the callsigns on the first flight 😅) arriving at PSM after a trip from Lajes! pic.twitter.com/pJwwJAgtJL
— Alex (@mhtplanes) October 10, 2025
The photographs indicate that the Warthog had recently completed a six-month rotation within the CENTCOM area of responsibility, supporting Operation Inherent Resolve.
The US Air Force has not confirmed any specific engagements. However, the markings imply that the A-10C may have successfully intercepted Iranian-made one-way attack drones. Shahed-type systems have been widely used by proxy forces against coalition and commercial targets.
The A-10’s combination of endurance, precision sensors, and versatile ordnance makes it unusually effective in this role. Unlike fast jets optimised for high-speed interception, the A-10 can remain on station for extended periods and prosecute multiple slow-moving aerial targets in a single sortie.
Equipped with laser-guided 70 mm rockets (APKWS II) and proximity-fused munitions, the aircraft can engage fragile drone targets without resorting to expensive air-to-air missiles. These characteristics align closely with current US and allied efforts to develop scalable responses to massed drone attacks.
Although the U.S. Air Force has continued to phase out parts of the A-10 fleet, its suitability for persistent surveillance and inexpensive strike roles may keep it relevant as drone warfare keeps on hitting the news.
So peace in the Middle East for the first time after 3000 years not quite the reality portrayed then.